DARIEN -- When Stamford's Shawn Crowell got the call to start the Babe Ruth District 1 Championship, the wait was over -- for him and for his team.

Sitting on the bench up to that point, the lefty pitched five strong innings en route to an 8-2 victory over Darien on Thursday at Darien High School, claiming the first title for his U15 team.

"The monkey is off our back," said Crowell, who gave up two runs on three hits. "I was just looking to throw strikes, keep the team in the game and put the ball in play. We've never done this before. This is something special."

After beating Darien 13-3 to open the tournament, a second game will not be needed in the double-elimination round robin. With the win, Stamford clinched the District 1 crown and advanced to the state tournament, which will begin next week.

Stamford led for the entire game, scoring in the first inning on the first of Darien's six errors.

Later in the inning, with runners on second and third and one out, first baseman Jeff Cortese hit a two-RBI single to left, scoring Kyle Divico and Kevin Epp for a 3-0 lead.

Crowell then went to work, pitching four

scoreless innings.

"He was just waiting his turn, but he was doing his work on the side," Stamford's second-year coach John Calo said. "It's a tribute to him."

Meanwhile, his offense added four more runs, including three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

With Greg Delmazio on second and two outs, Divico hit an RBI double to left field, extending the lead to 5-0. On a passed ball, Divico advanced to third while Epp drove him in on a single up the middle. Cortese followed with his second double of the day, and Stamford scored on an ensuing error.

Down 7-0 heading into the fifth inning, Darien showed signs of life with a two-out rally.

Stamford cruised the rest of the way with Luis Lopez pitching in relief until the game was delayed in the final inning. With a 5:15 start time, the glaring sun fell to the horizon, blinding the the batter, catcher and home plate umpire alike. A 20-minute delay of game was called with one out in the top of the seventh for the safety of the players.

"With the umpires, the first thing they have to do is protect the kids," district commissioner Jim Portanova said. "(The ump) did the right thing absoultely."

Resting his arm on the bench, Crowell, 15, has sat through rain delays, but sun delays -- never.

"It was weird. We were trying to get mentally ready to end the game," Crowell said. "I've never seen that before."

Once the sun set and shadows eclipsed the mound, both benches came to life to cheer the final two outs.

Lopez quickly retired the next two batters to end the game, sending his much-improved team to uncharted waters.

"They've been waiting three years for this," Calo said. "They worked real hard this year. I think they just matured a little bit and understand the game better. They are dedicated to the task at hand."